This old knife.

[Mk-211]

It's not really that old, I found this knife maker while looking at "American" style tanto knives.

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/dan-brdlik-hunting-knife-sheath-1935756731

So I went looking and found out that the knife maker had passed away. He made some very interesting knives in his time.

 

[hso]

He made some very interesting knives in his time.

Easily said about a large number of artisans making knives at the time. Most these days are "technologists" instead of innovators.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

That was a handsome tanto.

 

[Kingcreek]

Back 25-30 years ago we saw an explosion in the number of knife makers. Before Internet forums we had “listserve” which was an email based forum. One was called “the knife collectors list” everyone from the greats to the little guys could participate. They generally supported and promoted each other.
It seems primitive now but a lot of innovative and talented makers got their start then.
Sadly but inevitably many of them have since passed.

 

[RA40]

I remember the knife collectors list.

This weekend is the Calif Custom Knife Show in the Disneyland area is on. A different feel from the days when Plaza Cutlery/Dan was doing the show. Miss the old time makers we came up with in the 90's.

 

[Mk-211]

Thought I would add to this thread as I saw these two knives on another board.

Both are simply amazing knives, top knife is a Richard Batson M8. Bottom knife is a Bob Horrigan fighter.

 

[Blkhrt13]

Easily said about a large number of artisans making knives at the time. Most these days are "technologists" instead of innovators.

I feel like what you are describing is accurate, but I would also add that may not be a bad thing. These days the use of waterjet cutting, cnc machining and cryo treating require a different savy than the old black smithing days. You may have been tongue in cheek but it’s not without some merit. This tech use allows people to have day jobs and still fill the niche of custom blade. Even if there is then more than one or two of something around it’s still way better than the commercial equivalents.

 

[hso]

I'm all for waterjet taking the drudgery out of blanks and cryo treating has been done for many years by makers in their garages if liquid nitrogen or dry ice and alcohol were readily available. I do draw the line at CNC machining.

 

[RA40]

My view when I was into these was I sought a handmade knife. CNC generally does not appeal. Something that is appealing when a skilled crafts person has refined their abilities to produce such results by hand. The use of jigs and fixture allowed makers to have repeatable results while still "handmade".

That tanto has nice looking lines to me.